Freeman's Chronicle

DON'T SURRENDER THE SHIP.

Written by a gentleman of Petersburg

Cheer up my gallant band--
Fare thee well; dear native land--
Our pendent waves, the anchor is a trip:
For 'free trade and sailor's rights,'
The Columbian seaman fights;
And his watch word, don't surrender the ship.

Wide rolls the mountain wave;
But it frightens not the brave,
With joyous hearts, the cable we will slip;
When the boasting foe appears,
Brave Tar his comrade cheers,
And his watch word, don't surrender the ship.

A sail! the boatswain cries
Her proud pendant sweeps the skies;
Perhaps its waving honors we may clip--
Our brave captain draws his sword.
Whilst we echo to the word.
Gallant lads: oh! 'don't surrender the ship.

Now o'er the affrighted deep,
How the glowing bullets sweep!
We've got the daring vanquishers on the hip--
Though their colors nailed so fast,
Floated proudly on the mast,
Yet full gladly they surrender their ship.

The freeborn seamen knows
How to spare his fallen foes,
And cheer their souls with feeling's noble grin.
The high prize for which he fights.
Is free trade and sailor's rights"
And to tyrants ne'er 'surrender his ship.'

Now to our native shore,
Safe arrived my lads once more,
Full bumpers raise to every patriot's lip.
To the memory of the brave,
Who now sleep beneath the wave.
Who could die--but ne'er 'surrender the ship.'

American Watchman.
-From the Boston Palladium.